Community Calendar

Chicago-based artist Michael x. Ryan gathers the quiet imprints we leave behind — from sidewalk stains and river paths to shower puddles and fallen tree limbs — and gives them form, weight, and voice. Through drawing, mapping, wood relief, and 3D printed objects, Ryan captures traces of human presence — the edge of a river, the imprint of a wet body, the marks on a street — and renders them as physical forms that evoke movement, memory, and place.

This exhibition brings together key installations spanning over four decades, from early works shaped by the Ox-Bow landscape to large-scale reliefs inspired by the streets of Chicago to one tree of interest on the family property in Woodstock, Illinois. By drawing attention to overlooked details, Ryan invites us to consider how our everyday movements shape the spaces we inhabit — and how those spaces, in turn, record and reflect our presence and passage through time.

Homecoming: In Color celebrates the reopening of Rockford Art Museum after a year-long renovation closure. This exhibition features a selection of popular pieces and hidden gems, showcasing the rich diversity of our revered collection. Come witness the power of art and community as we welcome you back to a vibrant space of creativity!

Join us for a Know Your Rights training provided by DeKalb Migrant Aid. Learn valuable information to help you understand and protect your rights in various situations, such as interactions with law enforcement, participating in protests, and more.

This program is free to attend. Registration is not required. The presentation will be given in English and Spanish. Intended for adults. This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For additional information, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108.

Chicago-based artist Michael x. Ryan gathers the quiet imprints we leave behind — from sidewalk stains and river paths to shower puddles and fallen tree limbs — and gives them form, weight, and voice. Through drawing, mapping, wood relief, and 3D printed objects, Ryan captures traces of human presence — the edge of a river, the imprint of a wet body, the marks on a street — and renders them as physical forms that evoke movement, memory, and place.

This exhibition brings together key installations spanning over four decades, from early works shaped by the Ox-Bow landscape to large-scale reliefs inspired by the streets of Chicago to one tree of interest on the family property in Woodstock, Illinois. By drawing attention to overlooked details, Ryan invites us to consider how our everyday movements shape the spaces we inhabit — and how those spaces, in turn, record and reflect our presence and passage through time.

Homecoming: In Color celebrates the reopening of Rockford Art Museum after a year-long renovation closure. This exhibition features a selection of popular pieces and hidden gems, showcasing the rich diversity of our revered collection. Come witness the power of art and community as we welcome you back to a vibrant space of creativity!

Chicago-based artist Michael x. Ryan gathers the quiet imprints we leave behind — from sidewalk stains and river paths to shower puddles and fallen tree limbs — and gives them form, weight, and voice. Through drawing, mapping, wood relief, and 3D printed objects, Ryan captures traces of human presence — the edge of a river, the imprint of a wet body, the marks on a street — and renders them as physical forms that evoke movement, memory, and place.

This exhibition brings together key installations spanning over four decades, from early works shaped by the Ox-Bow landscape to large-scale reliefs inspired by the streets of Chicago to one tree of interest on the family property in Woodstock, Illinois. By drawing attention to overlooked details, Ryan invites us to consider how our everyday movements shape the spaces we inhabit — and how those spaces, in turn, record and reflect our presence and passage through time.

Homecoming: In Color celebrates the reopening of Rockford Art Museum after a year-long renovation closure. This exhibition features a selection of popular pieces and hidden gems, showcasing the rich diversity of our revered collection. Come witness the power of art and community as we welcome you back to a vibrant space of creativity!

Did you know that DeKalb County’s next General Primary Election is on March 17?

Visit the library for a simple, friendly, no-pressure opportunity to register to vote! Our trained staff will be on hand to guide you through the registration process and answer any questions you may have. Come as you are and take an easy step toward making your voice heard.

What to Bring:

A valid photo ID (such as a driver’s license or state ID)
Proof of current address, if it’s different from what’s on your ID
Yourself — no appointment needed!
This program is free to attend. Registration is not required. You must be 18 or older to register to vote. This event is part of the America 250 initiative; celebrating our nation throughout the year.

For additional information about the program, please contact Amy at amyf@dkpl.org or call (815) 756-9568 ext. 6108.

For more information about the upcoming election, visit the DeKalb County Clerk’s website.

Good news: compost is back!

After a winter hiccup, we’re thrilled to bring back one of our most-requested conversations - Composting as Collective Climate Action.

Join DeCarbon DeKalb for an energizing, neighbor-led evening all about how composting cuts methane, stores carbon, improves soil health, and builds real community resilience. We’ll dig into why composting is one of the most accessible, low-tech climate solutions available - and how individual scraps add up to collective impact.

Whether you’re compost-curious, already composting at home, or wondering what community-scale composting could look like in DeKalb County, this Dialogue is for you.

Expect real talk, practical takeaways, and plenty of “oh, that makes sense” moments. Snacks included, because climate action is better with carbs.

This program is intended for adults. It does not require registration.

For more information, please contact Britta at brittak@dkpl.org or (815) 756-9568 ext. 2100.

This is an invitation to bring your antiques and questions to the Durand Library on Tuesday February 10. Jay Friburg, a retired antiques dealer, will share his knowledge about the piece: how old is it, how was it used, what does the piece tell us about daily life going back decades if not a century or more.

Jay is a retired Life Science faculty member from Rock Valley College and has been an active antique dealer for twenty years, doing shows throughout the Midwest and upper South. He specialized in 19th century furniture and antiques of the Ohio River and upper Mississippi Valley.

This event is free and open to all. We encourage everyone to attend who is interested in “old” things, be they collectible items or antiques, and whether or not you bring a piece.